Chemical Indicators for Sterilization

What are Chemical Indicators?

Chemical indicators monitor whether the parameters to achieve sterilization have been met for a specific sterilization process, such as steam or vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilization. After exposure to predetermined critical parameters like temperature, time, or sterilant, chemical indicators undergo physical or chemical changes visible to the human eye.

STERIS offers a variety of chemical indicators for use in steam sterilization, low-temperature sterilization (including both V-PRO™ or STERRAD™*), and challenge packs. Browse available chemical indicators based on indicator Type (previously known as Class), standard cycles, and product features.

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Chemical Indicators for Steam Sterilization

Chemical indicators for steam sterilization are placed inside packages or sets to be processed in an autoclave or steam sterilizer. They can indicate sterilization failures once packs are opened in the procedure or operating room. Refer to the instructions for use for specific cycle details.

VERIFY™ Steam Integrating Indicator

Type 5 Integrating Indicator
Cycles: Various gravity, prevacuum, and immediate use steam sterilization (IUSS) cycles
Features: Moving-front ink technology provides a clear interpretation of pass/fail

VERIFY^™ SixCess MF4 Steam Emulating Indicator

Type 6 Emulating Indicator
Cycles: Prevacuum 270°F/132°C, 4-minute
Features: Moving-front ink technology provides a clear interpretation of pass/fail

VERIFY™ SixCess Steam Indicator Strips

Type 6 Emulating Indicator
Cycles: Specific gravity, prevacuum, and Dynamic Air Removal cycles
Features: Provides a distinct color change of yellow to blue/purple when sterilization cycle conditions are achieved

Celerity^™ 10 STEAM Chemical Indicator

Type 6 Emulating Indicator
Cycles: Extended 270°F/132°C 10-minute Dynamic Air Removal
Features: Distinct yellow to blue/purple color change designed for easy interpretation

VERIFY™ SixCess Flash Indicators

Type 6 Emulating Indicator
Cycles: Immediate Use Steam Sterilization (IUSS) Cycles
Features: Distinct yellow to blue/purple color change indicates conditions for IUSS cycles were met

VERIFY™ ValueLine Steam Chemical Indicators

Type 1 Process Indicator
Cycles: Steam cycles at 250°F/121°C, 270°F/132°C, 273°F/134°C or 275°F/135°C
Features: Color-changing ink indicates exposure to the steam sterilization process

VERIFY™ Steam Integrator Strips

Chemical Integrator
Cycles: 270°F/132°C prevacuum, and 250°F/121°C or 270°F/132°C gravity
Features: Color-changing ink verifies exposure to sterilant

VERIFY™ Flash Integrator

Chemical Integrator
Cycles: 270°F/132°C Immediate Use Steam Sterilization (IUSS)
Features: Color-changing ink indicates that conditions for the IUSS cycle were met

Chemical Indicators for V-PRO or STERRAD Low Temperature Sterilization

Chemical indicators for VH2O2 (vaporized hydrogen peroxide) sterilization in either a V-PRO Low Temperature Sterilization System or STERRAD™ Models are similar to those used in steam. STERIS Indicator strips are placed in packs or containers for sterilization. A physical or chemical change can be observed and interpreted as a pass or fail result for time, temperature, and sterilant exposure. Refer to the instructions for use for specific cycle details.

Celerity™ HP Multivariable Chemical Indicator

Type 4 Multivariable Indicator
Cycles: For use in both V-PRO™ Low Temperature Sterilization Systems and STERRAD™ Models*
Features: Verifies the three key parameters of time, temperature, and sterilant exposure have been met

Celerity^™ HP Chemical Indicator

Type 1 Process Indicator
Cycles: For use in both V-PRO™ Low Temperature Sterilization Systems and STERRAD™ Models*
Features: Color-changing ink verifies exposure to sterilant

VERIFY™ HPU Chemical Indicator

Type 1 Process Indicator
Cycles: For use in V-PRO™ Low Temperature Sterilization Systems
Features: Color-changing ink verifies exposure to sterilant

Chemical Indicator Challenge Packs for Steam Sterilization

Pre-assembled challenge packs for steam sterilization are cycle-specific challenge packs designed to monitor steam sterilization cycle performance. These packs may be used to confirm sterilizer performance or monitor sterilization cycles, consistent with hospital policy, for the specific steam sterilization cycles.

Verify Bowie-Dick Test Pack

Disposable, single-use air removal test pack with a distinctive color change
Unique failure pattern helps identify a variety of potential failures
Equivalent in performance to the AAMI Bowie Dick Test

VERIFY™ SixCess Challenge Packs

Type 6 Emulating Indicator
Cycles: Monitors 270°F/132° 4-minute or 275°F/135°C 3-minute prevacuum steam cycles
Features: Consists of a series of barriers with a distinct color-changing indicator in the center

VERIFY™ SixCess Extended Timing Challenge Pack

Type 6 Emulating Indicator
Cycles: Monitors 270°F/132° 4, 10 or 20-minute steam cycles
Features: Consists of a series of barriers with a distinct color-changing indicator in the center

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*STERRAD™ is a trademark of ASP Global Manufacturing, GmbH.